A Road Safety Authority test driver is being investigated for reportedly taking a bribe.

This is the third case of alleged bribery since 2007, with the previous two cases being dismissed.

It is not known which part of the country the tester is based in and their name has not been made public.

A spokesperson for the RSA told the Examiner: "Since the RSA took over responsibility for the driving test in 2007, the RSA has received three complaints in relation to allegations of driver testers taking a bribe.

"Two cases were found to have no substance and one is currently in the process of being investigated."

The RSA also reported 14 instances of drivers offering bribes to testers, all of which were reported to Gardai.

"In all cases, the driver tester took the appropriate action and the matter was referred to the Gardai," a spokesperson added.

Separately, the NCT is determined to further increase their employee standards.

The car testing service said they have a team in place to deal with complaints and investigations.

Four staff members were dismissed earlier this year by the NCT for breaches of conduct, but none were in relation to bribery.